Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter - <div><div>The use of urban green environments has repeatedly been associated with improved health and well-being for people living in cities. This study focuses on the health promoting potential of pocket parks in the dense city area of Copenhagen. A natural experiment was conducted, which evaluated one pocket park, Dantes Plads, before and after a redesign. Six people were interviewed about their perception of the change. First of all, the results show that Dantes Plads is primarily used for ‘rest and restitution’. Furthermore, the interviewees prefer to have the presence of sun, shade and planting in relation to rest and restitution, while varied ‘terrain’ may create fascination thereby providing the opportunity for restoration. ‘Noise level’ is perceived differently from subject to subject, while ‘benches’ as well as ‘visual angels’ should not be oriented directly towards disturbing surroundings. The findings add to existing knowledge on the design of health promoting pocket parks for ‘rest and restitution’ in dense city areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Keywords: Pocket park; Redesign; Evaluation; Perception; Design</div></div><div><br></div>
Evidence for Designing Health Promoting Pocket Parks
Type
journal article
Year
2014
The use of urban green environments has repeatedly been associated with improved health and well-being for people living in cities. This study focuses on the health promoting potential of pocket parks in the dense city area of Copenhagen. A natural experiment was conducted, which evaluated one pocket park, Dantes Plads, before and after a redesign. Six people were interviewed about their perception of the change. First of all, the results show that Dantes Plads is primarily used for ‘rest and restitution’. Furthermore, the interviewees prefer to have the presence of sun, shade and planting in relation to rest and restitution, while varied ‘terrain’ may create fascination thereby providing the opportunity for restoration. ‘Noise level’ is perceived differently from subject to subject, while ‘benches’ as well as ‘visual angels’ should not be oriented directly towards disturbing surroundings. The findings add to existing knowledge on the design of health promoting pocket parks for ‘rest and restitution’ in dense city areas.

Keywords: Pocket park; Redesign; Evaluation; Perception; Design

Citation
Peschardt, Karin Kragsig & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter. "Evidence for Designing Health Promoting Pocket Parks." Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 8, issue 3 (2014): 149-164.
Parent Publications
Authorities
Copyright
Karin Kragsig Peschardt & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, licensed under CC-BY-ND-NC
Country
Netherlands
Language
English
Building Usages
landscape
Keywords